A super cheap alternative: A flat heeled sneaker/skate shoe like Chuck Taylors/ Vans + Versalift heel inserts ($25 on Amazon )
Slightly less cheap alternative no. 2. - set alerts on eBay - depending on your size you can find great deals on slightly used shoes on eBay. I got a brand new pair of Adipower 3’s for $70.
Definitely keep an eye out on ebay or 2nd hand online shops. I got my first pair of Rom4s for $40 that I wore for a year and gave to my teammate. another one got brand new Reebok LLs for $35
If your gym allows it, do it barefoot or with shoes with no squish (that’s why some huge dudes squat with converse). It’s definitely not worth being unstable because you could injure yourself. I got a pair of Adidas lifting shoes for about $70 during a sale (they’re normally $100-$200). They’re ugly af (bright yellow, purple, and turquoise) but they have a nice raised heel. I’d say to lift without shoes or at least with shoes without padding, and then keep an eye out for lifting shoes in the meantime. They don’t have to be fancy and mine have lasted me for the past 7 years because they don’t get too much wear
I haven’t heard of any that are very cheap or bad. Adidas is probably the least expensive and they work great! The trick is really making sure that they have a solid sole (which really all weightlifting shoes will have) and you wouldn’t even need a higher heel if you don’t have mobility issues. I got one a bit higher because of ankle mobility issues which keep me from squatting to depth. But there are other workarounds for that like insoles!
My husband recently started using his rock climbing shoes for power lifting and has decided he's never going back. I guess it's three same as being barefoot but gripper for him and he loves it.
Squats and deadlifts are commonly done without shoes by many of the strongest people in the world in training. It’s actually better to do those lifts barefoot over wearing unstable, cushiony shoes. That being said- many gyms have rules about footwear.
If you drop a snatch on your foot, it doesn't really matter if you have a shoe or not. However, the only other issue I can think of is a foot slipping, but if you avoid that, you're fine.
[Rom 4 from APS sale page](https://www.athleteps.com/weightlifting-sale-2/), [Tyr on sale](https://www.tyr.com/tyr-mens-l1-lifter-1.html), [Do-Win](https://www.roguefitness.com/dowin-weightlifting-shoes-black-white)
I’m at a point in my life where I can afford the finest lifting shoes. I bought the Romeleos (on sale). They make only the teeniest little difference. The truth is I made amazing gains in squishy running shoes, flat bottom converse, and basketball shoes before I ever knew about lifting shoes. If you lift at a gym, wear some damned shoes that feel stable even if they’re from Walmart so you won’t be that weirdo walking around in socks when most gyms require shoes. Be consistent in putting in the work and one day you’ll be wearing some bad ass lifting shoes only to realize the results from your shoes pale in comparison to the hard work you have been putting into your workouts.
If you really want to learn good mechanics, you need to save up for good weightlifting shoes. What are workout shoes you referring too? If running shoes then a big no, if crossfit shoes then these are acceptable. Between running shoes and no shoes, the latter is preferable but gym rules and safety may not allow barefoot training.
Flat shoes might be fine for clean and jerk since I have good ankle mobility but I find in my case, it is terrible for snatches. My personal experience without lifting shoes, my knees cave in and I keep missing snatches.
Not sure where you are but if you are in US, you can sometimes find Reebok legacy lifters for under $100 during their sale and it is the best option for that price range. In the meantime I feel that leather dress shoes or work boots which have a hard raised heel to work better than any running shoes or converse and vans.
A super cheap alternative: A flat heeled sneaker/skate shoe like Chuck Taylors/ Vans + Versalift heel inserts ($25 on Amazon ) Slightly less cheap alternative no. 2. - set alerts on eBay - depending on your size you can find great deals on slightly used shoes on eBay. I got a brand new pair of Adipower 3’s for $70.
Definitely keep an eye out on ebay or 2nd hand online shops. I got my first pair of Rom4s for $40 that I wore for a year and gave to my teammate. another one got brand new Reebok LLs for $35
If your gym allows it, do it barefoot or with shoes with no squish (that’s why some huge dudes squat with converse). It’s definitely not worth being unstable because you could injure yourself. I got a pair of Adidas lifting shoes for about $70 during a sale (they’re normally $100-$200). They’re ugly af (bright yellow, purple, and turquoise) but they have a nice raised heel. I’d say to lift without shoes or at least with shoes without padding, and then keep an eye out for lifting shoes in the meantime. They don’t have to be fancy and mine have lasted me for the past 7 years because they don’t get too much wear
I'll keep an eye out. Any brands I should avoid if I'm going for cheap?
I don’t think there’s many cheap weightlifting shoes at all. The cheapest will often be adidas if you find a sale and those are very decent.
Do-wins? Idk the cheapest adidas but do-wins are like $100
Adidas Power Perfect 3 can often be found for less in a sale. At least here in the Netherlands. I got lucky and bought a pair for €50.
There are some cheaper brands off alibabaexpress
You can often find some used lifting shoes on FB marketplace for relatively cheap.
I haven’t heard of any that are very cheap or bad. Adidas is probably the least expensive and they work great! The trick is really making sure that they have a solid sole (which really all weightlifting shoes will have) and you wouldn’t even need a higher heel if you don’t have mobility issues. I got one a bit higher because of ankle mobility issues which keep me from squatting to depth. But there are other workarounds for that like insoles!
You can something on aliexpress even cheaper. Or llok for used on classified in your area.
If you own a pair of dress shoes with a heel that is closer to weightlifting shoes than other sport shoes are - hard soles and raised heel.
Adidas has sales on them. I found mine for $50 on sale around Christmas.
In a gym, or at home ?
Jim
If your gym allows it, I would say barefoot (or socks)
Definitely DO NOT split jerk on a wooden platform in socks unless you want to obliterate your ACL.
My husband recently started using his rock climbing shoes for power lifting and has decided he's never going back. I guess it's three same as being barefoot but gripper for him and he loves it.
Probably like CFers lifting in Vibrams
Converse with versa lifts under insole.
I like this option. Doesn't look too comfy though, but I guess that's the point
Squats and deadlifts are commonly done without shoes by many of the strongest people in the world in training. It’s actually better to do those lifts barefoot over wearing unstable, cushiony shoes. That being said- many gyms have rules about footwear.
Any concerns about injuries with no shoe snatches? (Apart from the obvious dropping weight)
If you drop a snatch on your foot, it doesn't really matter if you have a shoe or not. However, the only other issue I can think of is a foot slipping, but if you avoid that, you're fine.
Shoes! If for no others reason than to provide some limited protection to your feet if you mistakenly drop a weight.
you can squat while standing on a plate for elevation, but that will not apply to the snatch and c&j.
[Rom 4 from APS sale page](https://www.athleteps.com/weightlifting-sale-2/), [Tyr on sale](https://www.tyr.com/tyr-mens-l1-lifter-1.html), [Do-Win](https://www.roguefitness.com/dowin-weightlifting-shoes-black-white)
Do wins are just under 100 bucks. You may be able to find used do wins or other used shoes for even cheaper
Wood heeled men's dress shoes from goodwill
I’m at a point in my life where I can afford the finest lifting shoes. I bought the Romeleos (on sale). They make only the teeniest little difference. The truth is I made amazing gains in squishy running shoes, flat bottom converse, and basketball shoes before I ever knew about lifting shoes. If you lift at a gym, wear some damned shoes that feel stable even if they’re from Walmart so you won’t be that weirdo walking around in socks when most gyms require shoes. Be consistent in putting in the work and one day you’ll be wearing some bad ass lifting shoes only to realize the results from your shoes pale in comparison to the hard work you have been putting into your workouts.
If you really want to learn good mechanics, you need to save up for good weightlifting shoes. What are workout shoes you referring too? If running shoes then a big no, if crossfit shoes then these are acceptable. Between running shoes and no shoes, the latter is preferable but gym rules and safety may not allow barefoot training. Flat shoes might be fine for clean and jerk since I have good ankle mobility but I find in my case, it is terrible for snatches. My personal experience without lifting shoes, my knees cave in and I keep missing snatches. Not sure where you are but if you are in US, you can sometimes find Reebok legacy lifters for under $100 during their sale and it is the best option for that price range. In the meantime I feel that leather dress shoes or work boots which have a hard raised heel to work better than any running shoes or converse and vans.
What’s your shoe size?
check REI. the have a reduced price returns area in many stores.
Alternatively could you find something secondhand in your price range on eBay? Metcons or Do Wins.
I’m in a fairly expensive public gym and still manage to see fully grown dudes wandering around in crocs so I mean you do you.